Amusement with Animals

Some end of week amusement.




Just in case you need more:




Have a good day!

Credits (PCM and YouTube)

Short Musings of the Past Week: Milestones, Music and Fellowship

Some short takes from the week past...

- This past week I had two milestones.  One, I went to the dentist this past Wednesday and got my Invisalign attachments removed, which essentially means I'm done with wearing orthodontics all day.  I have to say although expensive, the maintenance program was much easier to comply with than braces.  Here's a look at the final result.

I say not bad.

- On Friday, I went to have my annual physical.  I don't just do it for my personal health, but my company provides an incentive to have an annual physical in providing points towards annual savings on health insurance premiums.  But that's beside the point.  The short story is that the doctor said that I was in excellent health.  He commented that my weight is "ideal."  Thinking that I'm about 50 pounds lighter than I was about two years ago, I thought I must have been quite ponderous before I decided to make certain lifestyle changes (Described here).  Here's some photos of the "old" me:

Of me in transition...

Of me today...

That figure looks mighty familiar...

-  This past Saturday evening, I hosted the 4th concert in the SG at the SPCO series.  The evening consisted of a pre-concert dinner at my condo, a walk down the St. Paul Skyway to the Ordway and the concert itself.  There were essentially three pieces in the concert: (1) Bach Orchestral Suite 2, (2) Stravinsky Suite from Pulcinella and (3) Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony.  Unlike the Messiah concert, I didn't assign anyone to take pictures and I didn't take any either, so I apologize.  I'll just tell you it was quite an enjoyable evening of above average entertainment and excellent fellowship.  I'm actually moved by how well these events have gone so far.  Success beyond expectation thus far.

Till next time..

Calvin Coolidge Quote (of the Month)

I know it's been awhile since I shared a Calvin Coolidge quote, so I'm going to try to bring it back on a regular basis.  I'll do what I can to keep on track.

Today's quote is from a Commencement address at Amherst College (a highly regarded educational  institution) that Coolidge provided while Massachusetts Governor regarding the use of knowledge.

"Civilization depends not only upon the knowledge of the people, but upon the use they make of it.  If knowledge be wrongfully used, civilization commits suicide."

You think knowledge if properly used today?  A matter of debate?  

Ode to the Restaurant Chain

As you know, restaurants have been a big influence in my life.  In short, I owe pretty much my whole upbringing and education through the restaurant industry.  I grew up in restaurants founded by my father, the Jade Fountain and the Golden Inn.  I still go and work at the Golden Inn regularly and do enjoy it.  

One thing that I've noticed recently is that many of the restaurant chains that I grew up going to are being phased out.  I'm thought I'd share a few memories.

Tony Roma's 

I recall going to my first Tony Roma's when I was in Kissimmee, Florida with my family.  I recall my dad really enjoying the ribs.  Well, apparently not as many folks are enjoying the ribs these days.  Between 2002 and 2012, U.S. sales have declined by over 70 percent and the number of locations have declined from around 160 locations to 45 today.  I guess I need to find a new rib joint when I'm in Florida.

Bennigan's

The first Bennigan's I went to was with my roommate in Carleton when I traveled with him to his home in Washington D.C.  I have to say I enjoyed the fellowship more than the food, which was quite average to me.  I guess others have as well: sales declined by a staggering 90 percent between 2002 and 2012 and the number of restaurants declined from 285 to just 35 today.  I guess this Irish theme went down not swinging.

TCBY

I recall when TCBY first came out, the whole frozen yogurt thing appeared to be a fad to me.  Why would folks forgo the taste of ice cream for frozen yogurt?  Well, I guess my instinct was correct.  Between 2002 and 2012, sales declined by over 70 percent and the number of stores declined from 1,188 to about 500 today.  I rather have Greek yogurt myself.

Stats provided by Technomic.

So there you go, well known restaurant chains going up in smoke.  For those who dream of opening their own restaurant I'll just say, know the temperature before you enter the kitchen.

Ice Anyone?

Currently I'm sitting in 32nd floor condo in Downtown Saint Paul with the heater on due to it being quite cold outside.  How cold?  Here's the current condition

But being a man who looks at the bright side of things (you can stop snickering..), I do know that some good things can come out of these type of conditions.  Just think of the Ice Festival in Harbin, China.  They do great things in this type of weather.  Here's some examples:

Some actually like swimming in these type of conditions.  Here's proof of a man swimming in a pool carved out of ice.

The thing is that these events are taking over in China, not here in Minnesota.  I think the Winter Carnival can put on a pretty good ice show if it wanted to, don't you think?

But alas,  I would like Spring to come sooner rather than later....